AfterDawn: News

Sony develops film-thin flexible display

Sony has developed a razor-thin display that bends like paper while continuing to show high quality full-color images. The company showed the technology off in a video which shows the 0.3 millimeter (0.01-inch)-thick display being squeezed by a hand while it shows color images of a bicyclist stuntman, a picturesque lake and others.

The display combines thin film transistor (TFT) technology with organic electroluminescent display technology. The company said commercial plans for these displays is still undecided. "In the future, it could get wrapped around a lamppost or a person's wrist, even worn as clothing," said Sony spokesman Chisato Kitsukawa. "Perhaps it can be put up like wallpaper."



"To come up with a flexible screen at that image quality is groundbreaking," Tatsuo Mori, professor at Nagoya University's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, said. "You can drop it, and it won't break because it's as thin as paper."

Source:
Yahoo

Written by: James Delahunty @ 25 May 2007 19:32

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• 15 comments

• escalante

  NICE! That sounds awesome! Imagine the possibilities! This really is a breakthrough.
  Here's a pic:
  
  

  25.5.2007 22:14 #1

• WierdName

  HOLY CRAP! Thats so awesome! I can think of a couple ideas for production... used as tv directly on wall(yes, wallpaper but in the form of a tv). Maybe a giant moniter. How about using it in laptops then using the saved space for more/better components or just to shrink the laptop. *Crapload of ideas come to mind*

  25.5.2007 22:17 #2

• gozilla

  how bout a handheld tv that follows the contours of your wrist rather than just being a big block on your wrist.
  
  this is indeed really cool, and innovative. now let's wait for a company to come along and sue sony for patient infringement again.
  

  
  
  

  25.5.2007 22:44 #3

• Wiips3

  This is amazing, I really love all the ideas you guys mentioned, but imagine wrapping a WHOLE building as a giant TV used for ADs?
  
  Anyhow, how do you have input into this device?

  26.5.2007 03:16 #4

• borhan9

  I like how it is paper thin so it can not break. But i gather cost is going to be my hurdle :)

  26.5.2007 06:12 #5

• moonfrog

  You can carry a credit card with you dancing on it.
  Or maybe everytime you squeeze it to give it to someone it plays a Visa commercial on it while they swipe it.
  Maybe your business cards can have tv ads on them instead of just words.

  26.5.2007 08:38 #6

• Moomoo2

  So amazingly futuristic! I wonder about the price..? Like all things, it'll eventually go down I suppose.

  26.5.2007 08:54 #7

• craftyzan

  I'm sure it will have wi fi tech to get the video into the screen or some kinda wireless gizmo.

  26.5.2007 19:34 #8

• JNagy129

  holy crap!! imagine a newspaper that changes everyday and u nvr have to throw away, or maybe like a magazine subscription type deal

  27.5.2007 10:15 #9

• Chanta

  Ok here is one I have actually waited of for a long time:(hope it doesnt get ripped off;)
  
  Put it all along your car windows and make it the most kick ass heads up display. Just think of it 3D GPS, restaurant locations stores etc.
  
  Multimedia multitasking for all, dad can hear his favorite sports station while mom sees her favorite show on her side of the screen the kids, each one with their own game on their own window.
  
  Historical information of where you are, night vision aided display for the driver, safety features galore. I could go on but I guess you got the idea already.
  
  It would be the next step in car evolution i would think!

  31.5.2007 12:00 #10

• mfstark

  roll-down tvs, computer moniters that roll up from your desk, laptop screens that roll out, ditto for mobile phones. i want shoes that play movies!

  31.5.2007 15:02 #11

• editmon

  Nice product. Too bad it's a Sony. I still haven't forgotten Sony/BMG hacking into peoples computers and stealing data.

  1.6.2007 08:44 #12

• Chanta

  Hear ya loud and clear about SONY editmon, but you know once it hits the streets people are gonna start knocking off the product left and right until a cheap semi-decent alternative shows it's face.

  1.6.2007 08:48 #13

• editmon

  and I will be waiting ... :)

  1.6.2007 08:52 #14

• Unfocused

  I like the idea of a personalized display on your credit cards. I'm tired of having to pick from a random selection of a dozen or so lame card designs.

  27.6.2007 18:48 #15